Kinzua Bridge State Park — Attraction in Hamlin Township

I was here in 1986, then 1996, before the tornado, and the new Visitor's Center. It was unrecognizable. I agree that it has lost some of it's rustic charm due to the shiny new visitors center, and I agree with the other review about the water; it has a high iron content, so the toilets look like they haven't been flushed, and the water from the fountains did not taste good. All of that being said, the PA State Park service has done an excellent job in making this unique structure accessible to most Pennsylvanians. There are trails that are paved, benches to sit on, and If I am not mistaken, there is wheelchair accessibility to the Sky Walk . There is a difficult trail to the bottom of the ravine; it is steep, rocky and lots of loose gravel, but well worth the trip, if you're in shape for it. From either down below, or up above, there is lots of scenery to behold. The gift shop had a fun collection of Made in PA items, including t-shirts. The visitors center itself had some great interactive exhibits for folks of all ages. We just happened to go on a day that a food truck was parked, called "Little Sister's Big Rig". The food was great. We went on a pleasant sunny summer day, and everyone seemed to be out. If you want to appreciate the glass-bottom sky walk, you might consider going during non-peak times. We could hardly get near it long enough to get a picture without someone photobombing it. Still, this is one of my favorite state parks, very family friendly, and well worth the 4 hour car ride. Just gotta go back when the fall foliage is...

This is a superbly preserved debris field of a significant tornado that toppled a giant span of this massive railroad bridge that was over 300 feet high and spanned 2,053 feet. If you happen to be in this area then this is a really cool thing to see that doesn’t take that much time. There is a museum and gift shop. We didn’t do that but I understand it’s excellent in diving into the history and story of the bridge and it’s attempted restoration. They were actually working on it when the tornado hit and it sent the crew running for cover. There is a trail you can take to get down into the debris field for an up close perspective but be forewarned - the trail is pretty steep and will get your heart pumping. Also, if you are a biker, runner, etc. - the Knox & Kane Rail Trail starts right there at the bridge and runs for at least a 7.5 mile stretch. Once they finish the connections the trail will be 73.8 miles. Do your research as to which sections of the trail are currently open. Of course, if rail trails are your thing then I would strongly recommend the Pine Creek Rail Trail that runs through the PA Grand Canyon which is 2 hrs to the East. That trail is complete and runs 120 miles and the north section goes through the PA Grand Canyon. I’ll review...

My family had a wonderful time here. We went in November, just before they closed for a renovation project. Had that not been the case, I would have given the place a lower rating because trails were closed and it was difficult to see through the glass/plexi tiles to the forest below on the viewing deck. That would have made the experience so much better. I rated based on how I felt at the end of our visit, despite the downsides. We took a hike down and over to the other side of the bridge. I’m a regular hiker, and I would rate this hike moderately difficult because of the depth of the steps at the beginning of the trail and the steep climb on the other side. Not for those with weak knees or ankles, but a fantastic workout! If you need to rest on your way back up, there were several benches along the trail on the steepest parts on the end closer to the viewing desk. We missed the changing leaves by about two weeks. The views were great, but would have been stunning if we made it there earlier in Autumn. The visitor center is absolutely beautiful and well kept. We met a few rangers on the trail who were super helpful and friendly, and honestly seemed to love their job! We’ll be back after the renovations are...